AirPods 5 are expected to make their debut during Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event tomorrow, but buyers may not have to wait for the new iPhones to become available before placing an order.
Apple is expected to introduce two versions of AirPods 5, continuing its current strategy of offering its entry-level earbuds both with and without Active Noise Cancellation. References to both models have already appeared in Apple software, strengthening expectations that the hardware is ready to launch.
The company’s AirPods 4 launch provides a useful guide to what could happen next. Apple announced AirPods 4 at its September event in 2024 and opened pre-orders immediately, rather than making customers wait until later in the week.
If Apple repeats that approach, AirPods 5 pre-orders could begin tomorrow, September 9, shortly after the keynote finishes. In-store availability and deliveries could then begin on Friday, September 18.
As reported by MacRumors, the same timeline would closely mirror the launch strategy Apple used for AirPods 4, although final dates will not be known until Apple makes its announcement.
The Apple Post’s final event expectations include AirPods 5 among the major products likely to appear tomorrow, alongside iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Ultra, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
Rumors surrounding AirPods 5 have been unusually quiet compared with Apple’s new iPhones. The two-model lineup is expected to remain, while camera-equipped AirPods are reportedly being saved for 2027 rather than arriving with this generation.
That leaves pricing, internal improvements and the precise release schedule as some of the biggest unanswered questions. If Apple follows its previous AirPods launch, at least one of those questions could be answered with orders opening as soon as tomorrow evening.
